MODERN CANDOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 73, 30 March 1929, Page 14

MODERN CANDOUR

INFLUENCE ON MANNERS

Candour: Opouness of heart, freedom from tricks or disguise.

Tims runs the definition in a standard dictionary, first published in 1863. Little did tho lexicographer dream to what lengths this candour, which he defines, would be carried within 70 years.

. Has there ever, .1 wonder, since pro historic times, been such candour as

there is now? asks a London writer. Tho modern woman, with her clear insight and her dislikes for fripperies, goes straight to the point, and the young man, glad of a lend, follows suit. ■

Our grandmothers would have gone white with rage, stamped a dainty foot, and vowed never to speak to "that wretch" again, had remarks such as arc now heard been addressed to her.

"I say, old thing; your complexion seems to have slipped a little this morning," I heard a young man-say to a girl recently.

Shades of the Victorian age! Can you imagine the heartburnings, the indignation, the biting silence which would have greeted such ,a remark even in mother's day? That a man should dare —! Good heavens! I doubt if an early Briton would have dared to remark to his girl: "Your woad is misplaced this morning." "Let's have a look. Yes, you're right. I have splurged it a .bit this morning," and the girl proceeded to rectify it. No annoyance, rather contentment that he had noticed it.

Yot it is in a way truly delightful, and I doubt if any harm is done. Friendship between sexes ripens so quickly and freely that frankness is essential. Women, as they always have, and I trust always will, enjoy a compliment, but tho (lays of the flowery, long-winded effort have passed, let us hope for good. The unobtrusive, subtle compliment, the direct candid praise, or the left-handed "Not so bad, old girl," if said with due'eye action, give just as much pleasure.

And what do the women think?

Has modern candour killed "chivalry?" -To a certain extent, yes. And over this women, though they will not always show it, feel aggrieved. How they still hate to see a man talking to a girl with his hat on, with a cigarette in his mouth, and yet it is not uncommon. Women, no matter how modern,

resent this.

Still they appreciate and expect a door to bo opened for them, being allowed to pass out first, the courtesy of having things carried for them, tho man who rises to his feet when they enter tho room, and a hundred and one other such matters, which aro only really good manners. And yet, some of tho hail-fellow-well-met typo will not insist on them or show appreciation for tliem.

Yes, candour, "openness of heart," by all means, but do not lot us lose manners. Do not lot chivalry die in a boorish frankness about equality of sexos. It is up to women to soc that it does not. The matter is in their hands,